The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-23
the sex of your aslesation-it is such hot

IMPLY my udirs dituouSu SoAoWu lIOWcxs oOIo |
suggestions Of combing.
Governor" said Harold, gravely, "let me in |
troduce Mrs. Miner, the head Of this delega- |
tion."
Now, 1 ought to have bowed in a stately way |
and said: Madame. I am happy to meet you, |
and to find that prison reform enlists advocates |
at once 30 fair and capable
But did not say this. / observed that Mrs |
Miner was tall, matronly lady, with gray hair, |
Roman features and rale complexion, very styl |
lshiy dressed in black, with white lace about ner
throat and wrists l observed that her compan-
ions were mostly elderly, well-bred, tastefully-
attired, self-possessed and eminently ladylike. |
AT the rear were some younger women, notably
one brunette with flashing black eyes, wearing
broad brimmed hat with rich red plume, and a
brocaded dark-red velvet dress with profusion
of ribbons. She looked demurely over the
shoulders of her companions directly into my
eyes, and /, but just returned from such long
exile. unused to feminine proximity. was in
stantly bereft of all senses.
l stood irresolute Mrs. Miner also stood a
moment, hesitating. Then as l made hating
movement forward, she held out her gloved
hand. which shook awkwardiy.
I'VE ought to be old friends" said !, elancing
at Brooks, who buried his head in documents,
while his chair shook suspiciously, "for l was q
miner myself until
The appalling reflection that in my impersona-
ton as Governor ell reference to my Colorado
experience was out of place now tripped the
remark. added to complete to the sentence,
until became of age"
Brooks glanced up with agony in his face,
look which coujured me whatever else did by
all the Gods not to profane his identity through
such abhorrent puns.
Mrs. Miner introduced her companions to me,
Mrs. Griffin, Miss Mink, Mrs. Quaiter,s and
she went through, the group standing a little
aside, SO as to keep the ladies and myself in
respective places. / felt persiraton trickle over
my brow as bowed to Miss Mulwine the bru
nette, who was the last one presented. A des-
perate desire to do something gallant came
| over me.
"Take seats, ladies' Sit down. Er-Harold
where the charsf Bring in the chairs, sir.
The chairs ought always to be here"
Harold winked, put one hand over his jaws
| and staggered into the back room. He did not
reappear, but handed forth the chairs behind
the partly open door without showing his coun-
tenance. Then / heard him go out into the
ante-room by way of the back corridor, and
became conscious from the shutting feet that ne
had massed all the clerks against the communi-
eating door that they would overhear my
speech.
There were not chairs enough for the party,
SO took the chair from my desk and placed it
for Miss Mulwine. l remained standing before
them.
s'Mr. Governor, we have come to ask your
cooperation in ameliorating the condition of
our convicts.h
Here was another great opportunity. If had
kept my head, if that paralyzing brunette had
not eyed me SO steadily might have said.
Ladies'. the condition Of our conviets has long
enlisteo my anxious study. Netnlng more Stars
my sympathy. nothing seems to me of greater
Importance than improvement in facilities for
their comfort ard moral welfare. Any practical
measure which you have matured will command
my cordial support"
But didn't say that. Instead. replied:
Yes there is too much laxity. Those fire.
quent escapes remind me of our experience in
Colorado. A drunken miner shot fellow one
| jug and locked him in. The jug was only log
building set in the hillside. He got out so quick
that he met the sheriff his return in front of
the Welcome Bar, and asked him to step in and
| take a drink Then the crowd carried him off
| to the nearest tree He didn't get away that
| time
Perhaps you do not quite understand u.s."
said Mrs. Miner gravely. She unfoded large
package and disclosed mass of papers. Here
4 are the petitions, circulated in every church IN
our county and signed by all the best people,
asking that greater social and religious priv
leges be extended to our criminals"
/ ''You don't get them up as handy we did in
Colorado" / rejoined 'When we had our
struggle for the county seat we strung the petit
ton on an old wringer frame SO we could roll it
| up with q crank"
| Here Brooks gave long 'hemm Hooked
| ACROSS He was glaring at me in warning wrath
| and again l recollected that these Colorado
| "reminiscences were inopportune. 1 stared
around, caught the unfathomable eyes of that
| marvellous brunette, and lapsed into hopelessly
| incapacity
"Pardon me for interruptng you, Governor
| snid Brooks. in a cool earnest voice, which at
once commanded silence and attention ssBut it
is fitting these ladies should know that their
petition ought to be given to their Representa-
; tive, and he should press for appropriate iegis-
lation. Until that time, this Office is powerless
| to act"
; Mrs Miner replied: 'Oh, we quite under
stand thar. We only wished to show the peti-
/ tions for moment here as evidence Of their
| popularity, and ascertain the Governors feeling
toward the movement"
: s9Entireiv favora bic madam ~ said
"Then, We will bid you good day and with
draw. ] know your time Is valuable. Many
: 1 thanks for your kindness" rhay bowed. The
clerks scattered In the ante-room and the ladies
t retired gracefully, while STOOD stupid. not ye
4 recovered from the surrrise of their arrival
The door closed behind than.
Q / There was silence a moment. Brooks sa
{ | with his back turned. He lifted ND a page O.
manuscript and remarked with futtering EN-
phasis
r "Chug you made beautiful speech,
: "Oh, shut up! Shut up!" cried wildly, throw
/ ing myself into a chair.
+ Brooks's fortitude suddenly gave way. H.
= cast himself forward on his desk, and laughe,
|. / hilariously. He rose and bowed himself shrek
: | ing over chair. He dropped full length upo,
/ the sofa, on top of the pamphlets, helpless an,
K uprnarious. He ha-haed all over the office an,
| crowded me with his outrageous mirth Whel
!. | at last he was completely exhausted he sat dow
/ and faced me quizzically.
Il It dawned upon my mind that Brooks and
o had changed positions; that the superior fore
r of character, perhaps. now was his; that til
1 GOODNESS in emergencies, which is the test O
y strength, was most manifest in him. Inspire
| by this discovery, and by the occasion, justl
u remarked:
Il believe I am the biggest fool of all GU
l. / State officers
o Ere had concluded became aware that tn
door was open. A perfume of jockey-club -fioa
10 ed to my senses. Harold, grnning, had show
q in the beautiful brunette, and she was upon til
d Threshold looking and listening
4 Ibid leave my parasol?" she asked sweetly
D, Harold picked it from the floor for her. Sh
,e bowed and went away.
r Once more Brooks hung himself in festoor
m over all the furniture, entirely careless OF b
20 own reputation in the matter. When this u,
seemly mirth subsidized, he came to where / 81
lie with moist brow clasped in both hands uprigl
IN before my desk, and said. soothingly: